My Fair Duchess (A Once Upon A Rogue Novel Book 1)

by Julie Johnstone

  A sudden ache blossomed in her chest as she gazed at him. “You are angry on my behalf? Because my dance card is empty?”

  “I’m more than angry. I’m livid.” He glanced down the length of her dress and then slowly inched back up to her face. “You look ravishing, and I know personally that you have more intelligence in you than any other woman I’ve ever met.”

  The warmth that had been building rapidly in her chest exploded and flowed through her. He thought her ravishing and intelligent. It took only a second to realize she was grinning like a ninny and that his words had made her incredibly happy. But why? She did not love him. Why would she care what he thought? But he was handsome. And interesting. And titled. And― She gasped.

  The wager had barely started and she was already allowing her gaze to stray away from Charles to another man. And worst of all, she was ogling a man who so happened to believe all women wanted nothing more than to marry the gentleman with the greatest title. She swallowed hard. If she did find herself interested in him, it certainly would not be because of his status, but he would never believe that.

  “Thank you for the compliments,” she finally said. “Are you trying to bolster my confidence?”

  His brows came together. “No. I mean, yes.” He swiped a hand across his face. “Do you know you confound me, and I’ve never met a woman that does that?”

  Her cheeks quivered with her smile. She was grinning again, blast him. “You confuse me, as well, but frankly, all men confuse me.”

  He threw his head back and laughed. Once the rich sound died away, he glanced at her, a sober expression on his face. “Either you are the most truthful woman I have ever met or you are the best actress I have ever come across.”

  She shrugged, dismayed and alternately amazed at how much she was enjoying bantering with him. “I’m quite sure it’s the first, but I don’t suppose you can simply tell someone you are truthful and expect that person to believe it.”

  “No, I don’t suppose you can,” he murmured. “I do believe my plan is working,” he said, looking over her shoulder at the dance floor.

  She blinked. His plan? Oh, yes! She started to twist in the direction she had last seen Charles, but Colin put a staying hand on her arm. “Never search out the object of your affection.”

  “Never?”

  He shook his head.

  “Is this part of my lessons on how to become an Incomparable?”

  “But of course. By my account, we are on lesson number three.”

  “What was one and two?” She hated to ask, but her wits felt absolutely addled tonight, and she wanted to remember everything she was and was not to do.

  “Number one was dancing and number two was conversing.”

  “Well, at the rate this night is progressing, teacher, I’m afraid this pupil will not have a need for either of your previous excellent lessons.”

  “Ah, my dear,” he murmured in a velvet voice. “Never underestimate yourself…or me. Your prey has been watching us for the last five minutes.”

  She arched her brows. “He has?”

  Colin nodded. “Yes. And now we are going to teach him a lesson.”

  “We are?” Her stomach tightened, whether from excitement or apprehension she was not sure. “What sort of lesson?”

  He gave her an exaggerated wink. “That he will lose you if he does not pay you the attention you deserve.”

  That sounded good to her. The attention part, that was. Not the loss part. Though, what if Charles turned out to be the sort of man who could never truly see into her heart and appreciate her mind, as well as the outer picture? She did not want a life filled with games played out day after tedious day to keep her husband’s interest. She wanted a man who felt he could not breathe without her. Like in the novels she read. Before she could contemplate it further, Colin grasped her hand and drew her close.

  “He’s coming this way. Throw your head back and laugh, and when he requests a dance, tell him you do not have one left.”

  She tried to jerk away, but Colin’s hand came to her back and kept her near him. “But none of my dances are taken,” she whispered.

  “They will be.” His words came out clipped, urgent and unbending.

  “But I want to dance with Lord Worthington. How else will I make him fall in love with me?”

  Colin blew out a sigh that tickled her neck. “By not dancing with him, my dear. Allow the master to show you.”

  Giggling in earnest, she glanced at his face and was startled by the way his gaze seemed to caress her. She blinked, and the moment was gone. “All right. I’ll do as you say, but what if no one asks me to dance? I’ll look the fool.”

  “I will never allow you to look the fool. Trust me.” His gaze, as well as his voice, lowered. “Once I’m finished, the gentlemen will be climbing over each other to request a dance with you.”

  She nodded, unable to speak since her heartbeat had taken up residence in her throat. She really didn’t want to be the star in this play, but it seemed she had no choice, unless she wanted to lose Charles. Behind her, something rustled, and then Charles sidled up to them, his gaze trained on her and not sparing a greeting or even a glance for Colin.

  Amelia stiffened at his rude behavior. This was not what she expected of him.

  “Lady Amelia, you look lovely.”

  “Thank you,” she murmured. Hadn’t Colin called her ravishing? She preferred that word. It held so much more emotion. Oh dear! Whatever was wrong with her? Colin was truly addling her wits with his presence, and no wonder, he was an expert seducer, even when he was not trying to seduce.

  “Might I have the next dance?” Charles asked.

  “I’m frightfully sorry, but the next dance is taken.” Gracious, she could hardly believe she had gotten the lie out without giving herself away.

  “Taken?” Charles’s eyebrows shot up in what looked to be surprise. Heat instantly flamed her face. It irritated her to no end that he had the power to make her feel bad about herself.

  “Yes, Worthington,” Colin drawled lazily beside her. “The lady said her next dance is taken, which means she is spoken for. I guess you did not pay enough attention in school if the meaning of the word taken escapes you.”

  Amelia wanted to kiss Colin for putting Charles in his place.

  Charles’s eyes narrowed. “Why are you still here, Aversley? There is no wedding for you to attend. Shouldn’t you be getting home to all your activities?”

  “Lord Worthington!” Amelia exclaimed. Were his words inspired by jealousy or a cruel nature? The sudden doubt in him made her stomach clench.

  “Lady Amelia, don’t fret yourself on my account,” Colin said smoothly. “I’m quite used to Worthington’s contempt.” Amusement flashed across Colin’s face. “You know, I thought to leave immediately, but once I started getting to know Lady Amelia I quickly decided to stay in Norfolk for a visit.”

  “Lady Amelia,” Charles said through clenched teeth. “Might I have the dance after this one?”

  “Taken,” Colin fairly chirped before she could open her mouth to respond. She glanced at him to warn him with her gaze not to carry this too far, but the challenging smile on his face made her reconsider. He had asked her to trust him, and she would. Plus, it was rather fun, this turning the tables on Charles.

  “How the devil would you know which of the lady’s dances are taken or not?” Charles snarled.

  “I’ll have to ask you not to speak vulgarly in front of me,” Amelia added, throwing herself into the game.

  Charles’s neck reddened. “I’m sorry, Lady Amelia.”

  “I forgive you.” She allowed a small smile. “This time.”

  His jaw clenched, and she could see him working it back and forth. After a moment, he spoke. “Do you have an open dance?”

  “I’m afraid I don’t. I’m so sorry. But perhaps we will run into each other in London for the Season, and we can dance then.”

  His eyes rounded in surprise. “I did not re
alize you were going to London.”

  “Of course she’s going to London,” Colin inserted, moving so close to her that his arm brushed her ribs. He proffered his elbow, and without hesitating, she slipped her arm through the open crook. If Charles’s narrowed eyes and pressed lips were any indication, Colin’s plan to make the man jealous so he would take note of her was working. Colin was a genius. He glanced down at her with eyes filled with what appeared to be adoration. What a silly thought. It was simply an act for Charles’s benefit.

  The first notes of the next dance started and Colin began to pull her toward the dance floor, but Charles grabbed her arm. Beside her, Colin growled under his breath and his muscles jumped under her fingertips. She had to bite down on her lip to keep from laughing. He was truly putting everything into pretending he was besotted by her. She gave him a grateful squeeze while quirking an eyebrow at Charles. “Yes?”

  “Please let me call on you in London.”

  Amelia allowed a small smile. This was more like it. “I suppose that will be all right.”

  “Excellent. Where will you be staying?”

  That was a good question…and one she did not know the answer to since Philip had sold their London townhome to pay some of their debts.

  “Just follow the line of suitors, Worthington, and you’ll find her,” Colin barked as he tugged her forward. “Now if you don’t mind, you are taking valuable time away from my dance with the lady.”

  Amelia allowed Colin to lead her to the dance floor and through the first round of steps to make sure she had mastered them before she spoke. “That was brilliant, thank you.”

  “No need to thank me, Amelia. I have to be truthful. There is not much love lost between Worthington and myself, so I rather enjoyed making him jealous.”

  “You certainly played the part well.”

  His hazel eyes met hers. “You make it easy.”

  “Are you still acting?” she blurted. Heavens! Why had she asked that? Yet, one glance of his smoldering gaze answered her question. She knew why. He stared at her with a strange hunger, much like the look she had dreamed Charles would wear when gazing at her.

  But then Colin blinked and the look was gone. “Yes, I’m sorry. It seems once I’m in the role it’s hard to break it.”

  Why the devil had he just lied? Colin gripped her around the waist a little tighter as they danced down the line and then came back together face-to-face. Confusion swarmed him. He had been jealous when Worthington had asked to call on her and livid when he had seen her empty dance card. He wasn’t sure why he cared so much, or even at all. He didn’t want a wife, let alone one who made him jealous. Yet, the fact was that if Philip did lose the wager this woman would be his wife, and even though he would never allow himself to feel love for her, he did not care for the idea of his possible future duchess in another man’s arms or with another man’s lips pressed to hers. He had never had to share a thing in his life, and he was not going to start with her. Especially not her, a voice in his head added.

  He needed to help her while ensuring she remained chaste per chance Philip lost the wager. That was going to make a very thin line for him to walk.

  “If anyone else should ask you, you can tell them you are staying in Town at my aunt’s home. Lady Langley is her name.”

  Amelia quirked her lovely eyebrows at him. “Will your aunt approve of this?”

  He nodded. “Aunt Jane is a spinster. She’ll welcome the company.”

  “Why did she never marry?”

  “She did not need to. Her mother’s aunt left all her money to Aunt Jane. She is a very wealthy woman in her own right, therefore rendering the need for a man useless.”

  “I suppose you imagine that proves your point about women.”

  “But it does. The money is all she requires. She cares nothing for love.”

  Amelia smirked at him. “Did you never think that perhaps your aunt simply never found love or she did but it slipped away from her?”

  “That’s absurd,” he replied but missed a step as he did so. Amelia’s eyes widened as she teetered. He reached out and grasped her arm, pulling her closer than needed, to rescue her. She had imbalanced him by offering an observation that he had never considered. The desire to do the same to her overcame him, but he could not think beyond the overwhelming awareness that she was crushed against him―all soft and womanly.

  He glanced at her face and need stirred restlessly within him. Her lids had become heavy, and her gaze had darkened. Heat rushed through him. By God, she desired him. Her lashes fell but not before a blush of awareness stained her cheeks. She may think she loved Worthington, but her body had never craved a man as she wanted Colin. That much was evident by her embarrassment.

  A sharp pain assaulted his chest. If Amelia were his, he would be her first everything and, in a way, she would be his. He shoved the thought away as ice crept into his veins. Already, he was becoming a weak fool like his father had been.

  “Please let me go,” she whispered hoarsely.

  With numb fingers, he complied. Around them couples moved off the dance floors while others poured onto it. One particular gentleman caught Colin’s attention. Huntington stood at the edge of the dance floor with his gaze fixed on Amelia, though Colin saw Huntington’s daughter swirl by in the other direction. The lecherous look on the man’s face did not sit well with Colin.

  “Amelia, what do you know of Huntington?”

  She looked past him, and her face became pinched. “I do not care for him in the least.”

  “Neither do I. Something about the way he stares at you does not seem right.” He would have said more, but Belford strode their way with an eager look on his face. Colin clenched his teeth. He had known if he’d danced with her and showed her special attention the fools here would notice her. Colin nodded toward Belford. “The gentleman beating a path this way like an eager puppy is a harmless, though none too entertaining, chap I know from Cambridge. As I predicted, your dance card is about to become full.”

  Amelia’s chest rose with her sharp inhalation, but he had to give her credit, she did not turn in the direction of his gaze. She was a fast learner. “Belford is about ten paces away and fairly foaming at the mouth. He’ll ask you to dance. Do so. Then I imagine Cooper and Herbert will want to claim a dance. Those three fools compete with each other for the attention of one woman every Season.” Colin swept his gaze around the room. “After that, I suspect Denton and James will fill out your card.”

  Her lips were parted as if to protest, but she closed her mouth and nodded. “You seem very sure about who will do what tonight.”

  His chest did that odd tightening thing again. “Unfortunately, I am sure,” he said. It was the first time he had not wanted to be certain of something because that confidence meant that tonight would be the beginning of Amelia’s change. Tomorrow, she would wake with the smallest knowledge of the power she had over men. She would greet him at breakfast, and he would see the change by the knowing slant of her eyes and the beguiling notes in her voice or perhaps she would purposely sway her hips.

  Belford reached them on the last thought. Colin surveyed the man’s foppish dress clothes, elaborate cravat, and rings shining from more fingers than not. The man was not for Amelia, but that was for Amelia to decide.

  “Belford,” Colin said by way of greeting.

  The man’s squinty eyes focused on Colin. “Aversley, what brings you to Norfolk?”

  Colin allowed his gaze to trail to Amelia, linger for a moment, and then he pulled it back toward Belford. “I have an interest in someone here but that someone will be leaving tomorrow, so I will, as well. Though, I have found Norfolk quite entertaining.”

  “Don’t tell me the infamous Aversley is searching for a bride,” Belford said with a chuckle.

  Normally, anyone asking Colin what he was doing or implying they knew what he was about would have sent him in the other direction with a clipped answer, but this night was not about him. It was abou
t Amelia, and for her, he would endure the boring Belford’s prying. “All right, I won’t tell you, but I do suppose you should mention what it is you want. Or did you stroll up to simply offer your greetings to me?”

  Splotches instantly covered Belford’s face. His gaze darted from Colin to Amelia. “Lady Amelia, I was hoping you might have this dance free?”

  Amelia nodded, though Colin would swear she did not look overly pleased, and unless he was wishful hearing, she had sighed.

  She turned to him. “Until later, Your Grace.”

  “I do hope there will be a later, Lady Amelia,” he said.

  As Belford led Amelia into the throng of dancers, Colin stood there fighting the urge not to go after her and snatch her away from the man. Finally, he turned away and searched the room for an inconspicuous place to stand and keep watch over her in case she should need him. His gaze landed on Harthorne, lingering very near the terrace doors. He waved Colin over.

  A few moments later, Colin strolled up to him. “Why are you standing alone in the shadows?”

  Harthorne shrugged. “Keeping an eye on Amelia. Same as you judging by the way you were staring at her as she walked off with Belford.”

  Colin tensed at the knowing lilt in Harthorne’s voice. Amelia’s brother turned to him. “I can understand perfectly why you insisted on being here tonight and at future events she attends. And I even understand why you don’t want her to be alone with Worthington, unless I have a formal offer from him. I happen to feel the same way about that.”

  “I’m glad we concur,” Colin grated out. He did not like where he sensed this conversation was going, but what he liked even less was how Amelia had just batted her eyelashes at Belford and thrown her head back as if the man had said something funny. Colin had taught her that flirtatious trick, but now he was wishing he had not. What the devil was wrong with him?

  “Aversley, are you listening to me?”

  Colin snapped his attention to Harthorne. He had not heard a bloody word the man had said. “Sorry, I was concentrating on your sister’s progress with Belford.”